A rare case of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis caused by Fonsecaea species in a renal transplant patient

• Published in: Medical mycology case reports Vol. 43; p. 100621
• Main Authors: Qureshi, Hammad Ul Haq, Absar, Muhammad, Nasser, Wafa, Yacoubi, Mohamed Tahar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: abscess; amphotericin B; Brain infection; Case Report; cerebellum; Cerebral; Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis; death; drug therapy; females; Fonsecaea; fungi; histology; kidney transplant; medical treatment; mycology; Neurotropic fungi; patients; prognosis; species; thrombosis; Fonsecaea; Neurotropic fungi; Brain infection; Cerebral; Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis
• ISSN: 2211-7539; 2211-7539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2023.100621

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis (CP) is a serious form of phaeohyphomycosis. We report a case of CP caused by Fonsecaea species in a 66-year-old immunocompromised renal transplant recipient female. Craniotomy was performed on an irregularly enhancing right cerebellar hemisphere lesion and abscess and tissue samples collected for microbiological and histological evaluation, showing fungal elements and Fonsecaea species was isolated. Antifungal treatment with voriconazole & liposomal amphotericin B was initiated with a temporary improvement in the patient's condition. Deep vein thrombosis jeopardized patient's prognosis. Despite aggressive surgical and medical intervention, our patient succumbed to the disease. Historically, CP has been linked with fatality rates as high as 65 %, despite surgical intervention and systemic antifungal medication.